By Cian O’Connell

“I think there is almost a benefit to being such a small area because it is the focal point,” Clodagh McGrath says about the importance of hurling and camogie in Bullaun, New Inn, and Woodlawn.

Sport matters so these successful times for the camogie outfit brings joy and silverware. Seven of the last eight Galway titles have been captured by Sarsfields with three AIB All-Ireland triumphs following.

McGrath, one of six sisters to have represented the club in the adult ranks, highlights the relevance and value of the local community. “The pitch is amazing, we have an amazing facility, there is a new pitch in the last couple of years, and everyone is pulling in the one direction,” she adds.

“When that culture is created, and it has been there before I was born, it has always been the culture in Sarsfields. I remember watching all of the lads playing hurling matches, the women then were playing junior and intermediate.

“You'd really enjoy going to watch those games too. One thing you'd always say was any time the men’s team were playing, they'd never give up or give in. There is just a really good spirit and culture fostered, it starts in the schools.

“When you have it set up that way, people just get on board with it. So it is nice when there is a reward, it isn't that the hard work pays off in a year, this has been going on for years. We are very lucky.”

Maximising the resources available is critical according to McGrath.  “Even amongst the girls, I know people have heard the whole thing about the families and things like that, but it is really at the core of the winning spirit,” McGrath says.

“A lot of the men that played in that era had daughters, fortunately for us. It worked out. The Kellys, Kennys, Ward sisters, Gallaghers, ourselves, so many sisters there it is unreal, I hope I'm not leaving any sisters out there.”

The highly regarded Michael ‘Hopper’ McGrath has managed Sarsfields through this successful stint. Clodagh McGrath, though, is adamant that others have made a significant contribution too. “It is funny, I think when people think of Sarsfields camogie they associate us with it and my father is over the team, but that is doing a huge disservice to everyone else on the panel,” she says.

“You have twenty something other girls, I know there is a few of us in it, but that isn't our team. My father was over the team for us, but very little is ever said about Kevin Ward, he is just unbelievable.

“I don't think I've ever met somebody so passionate, he is our trainer, his sister Laura is our full back. We'd be nowhere without Kevin. A lot of people don't get the credit they deserve.

“Kevin Curley has come in this year as a selector, he is just brilliant. They all are so equally passionate about it. We've had people, Olive Costello and John Noone, they've been with us for years.

"They believed in us. Tony Ward was over us when we were an intermediate team, they always had that vision.

“So I do think it does a huge disservice to everyone else, it is not about the few sisters. It is literally such a huge team effort with all of the officers in the club, it wouldn't run without everybody doing those things.”

Sunday’s Galway camogie decider victory over Oranmore-Maree was the latest instalment in the Sarsfields story. That new players continue to emerge is a source of pride. “Every year it is so competitive, there are always places up for grabs,” she says.

“It isn't a case of somebody automatically starting, you have people down at training, who force their way on to the team. Caoimhe Kelly, who is only 17, she started the All-Ireland final last year, but this year was her first county final.

“She had played her way, it is amazing that she has that experience in Croke Park and this year is her first county final. We are really lucky that we have a really talented bunch of younger girls.”

The experience gained by their colleagues provides valuable assistance. Clodagh McGrath continues to make an impact for Sarsfields.